|
 S.I.M.P.L.E Living
Dealing
with disappointment
The art of encouragement
Feel great about yourself
Speak with
confidence
Searching
for satisfaction
Green with Envy
Create a space that inspires you
Celebrate who you are
You can be happy Today
Where can you
find Peace?
Change yourself to
change the world
Woman and
Self-Esteem
20Fun resolution
for a happier you
laughter is good for you |
We all need encouragement…sometimes we even need
it desperately.
We all face those moments, hours or even days when our
hearts take a nosedive and our world looks bleak.
A word or an act of encouragement has the ability to
lift our hearts and our spirits. Encouragement is like a lifeline
on days we feel we are sinking.
Learning the art of encouraging others builds within us
a reservoir of hope, which helps hold us when we need a lift in our own
heart.
The Art of Encouragement has three main
avenues.
-
Giving Support. Look for ways to come
alongside those in your life and affirm them in what they are doing.
Become a cheerleader for those you love as they move through life
stretching to meet new opportunities. A phone call or card can say you
notice the hard work they are putting in. Actively look for ways to
polish up the creativity and efforts of those in your circle as they
seek to grow.
Recently my daughter gave me a card that said, “I see how much you put
your heart into your work” That simple acknowledgement encouraged me to
keep going. Never underestimate the value of sincere recognition.
-
Showing Honor. Take note of
character qualities in people. Watch for courage, strength, wisdom,
patience, cheerfulness, honesty, compassion, kindness and gentleness.
When you find yourself noticing an admirable quality in another human
being take the time to acknowledge it. Be especially ready to polish up
these values in those nearest and dearest to you. It will make a
difference in your relationship.
It is never too late to recognize and honor the character traits you
admire. The other day my mom answered the door and there stood a man
with two dozen roses. He said “Fifty years ago this month two fine
people took in 3 children who really needed help. Your kindness and love
have never been forgotten.” He was one of those three children. My mom
and dad were really touched and felt so honored by this gentleman.
-
Bringing Hope. The third level in
the Art of Encouragement is that of giving hope. When hard times come
and discouragement settles over the soul, a word of hope can keep one
pressing on. A word of hope says, “You’ll make it through.” A word of
hope says, “I believe in you.” A word of hope says, “God is with you and
will help you”.
Hope coupled with faith in God is a mighty power in our lives. Hope
in ourselves alone just isn’t enough when the journey of life gets hard.
Hope in God and in His power and strength to meet our needs is true
encouragement for the soul. Hope in God is the anchor that holds us in
the storms of life.
“Encourage one another daily” He knows
how much we need it. Ask Him to help you develop the ART OF ENCOURAGEMENT
and in turn be encouraged yourself.
Thinking it through…
Does your own heart need to receive encouragement
today? Are you looking for hope yourself? We cannot offer what we
do not have.
How would you describe your life today?
Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For
many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of
doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget. In the Bible, it
says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look
like if you could start over with a clean slate? It is possible.
If you are looking for peace and hope, God is there to
give it to you. He does not promise a perfect, trouble free life. Yet He
does promise He will walk beside you every step of the way. He will help
you and strengthen you. Every one of us has the opportunity to experience
His perfect grace offered to us for our own life. It’s simple and it’s
free. God simply invites us to believe in His Son, Jesus and to receive
the forgiveness He extends to each of us.
You can receive God right now by faith through prayer.
Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so
concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Simply
let Him know you are tired of directing your own life and you want to
receive His forgivenss and walk with Him daily. Here is a suggested
prayer.
God, I want to have You in my life. I open the door
of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Please
direct my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal
life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You
can pray it right now, and God will come into your life, just as He
promised. He will bring His peace and hope.
Is this the life for you?
If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often
that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have
eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how
much He loves you, you'll experience life to the fullest.
|